An April to Remember for U.S. Distance Running
By Ryan Lamppa, Running USA wire

T.S. Eliot in his epic poem, The Waste Land, called April "the cruelest month", but for U.S. distance running, April 2006 was the best April on record as American distance runners distinguished themselves in three disciplines: cross country, road and track. Consider the following depth and breadth of achievement from this past month:

APRIL 1
Goucher 6th at World Cross
In the final edition of the World Cross Country 4K Championship, Adam Goucher worked his way thru the stellar short course field to finish 6th in Fukuoka, Japan. His finish was the highest U.S. Senior men's placing since Pat Porter took the same place in the 1986 long course (12K) race.

APRIL 2
Kastor's Four U.S. Records at Berlin
At the Vattenfall Berlin Half-Marathon, Deena Kastor finished second in 1:07:34 to Edith Masai's 1:07:16 and in the process, the Team Running USA athlete broke her U.S. record by 19 seconds. Additionally en route, the 2004 Olympic Marathon bronze medalist set three more pending U.S. records: 12K in 38:24, 10 miles in 51:31 and 20K in 64:07.

APRIL 17
U.S. Men 3-4-5 at Boston
Led by 2004 Olympic Marathon silver medalist Meb Keflezighi, U.S. men made a statement at the 110th Boston Marathon. In his Boston debut, Keflezighi, a Team Running USA athlete, went for the win and placed third in 2:09:56, followed by Brian Sell 4th (2:10:55, PR) and Alan Culpepper 5th (2:11:02). In addition, Peter Gilmore (2:12:45, PR) and Clint Verran (2:14:12, PR) also finished in the top 10, 7th and 10th respectively. The U.S. also put 11 men in the top 20 - its best Boston showing in the prize money era (first year 1986) and its best showing overall since 1983.

APRIL 23
Deena Does It! Sub-2:20 Win at London
On April 23, Kastor impressively won the Flora London Marathon in a sterling 2:19:36, which broke her 2003 U.S. record (2:21:16) and made her the 4th fastest woman all-time and the 8th woman to break 2:20 (and first American woman). The Team Running USA athlete maintained a metronomic 5:20 pace throughout and split each half in 1:09:48.

APRIL 30
Webb, Ritzenhein, Famiglietti Sub-27:40 at Stanford
At the Cardinal Invite, Alan Webb and Dathan Ritzenhein, both 23, thrilled the rabid crowd over 25 laps as the miler Webb, in his 10,000 meter debut, sprinted to the narrow win, 27:34.72 to 27:35.65, the 8th and 9th fastest Americans all-time. Webb's time was a U.S. 10,000m debut record. Steeplechaser and fellow 2004 Olympian Anthony Famiglietti, also in his 10,000m debut, closed well to finish third in 27:37.74 (#12 U.S. individual).

The current U.S. distance "resurgence" did not happen and has not happened overnight, but started after the 2000 Olympics as a critical mass of people decided to stop talking about the limited success of U.S. distance running since the mid-80s and decided to do something about it by, in short, creating better training environments. Four years later in Athens, the Olympic Marathon medals won by Keflezighi and Kastor showed the value of group dynamics and training and that American distance runners could return to the highest podium.

The lion's share of the credit for this resurgence goes to the athletes and coaches who have been and are dedicated to improving the fortunes of U.S. distance running. In addition, Running USA, New York Road Runners, Nike, Hansons-Brooks, Atlanta Track Club, the Town of Mammoth Lakes, Twin Cities Marathon, Chevron Houston Marathon and others have stepped up to help develop, support and promote more U.S. athletes. And together, the sport and its athletes are in a better place than 5 years ago.

Along with the veterans such as Keflezighi, Kastor, Goucher, Culpepper, Jen Rhines, Abdi Abdirahman, Carrie Tollefson and Khalid Khannouchi showing the way, there is a solid youth movement (under 25) with Webb, Ritzenhein, Ryan Hall, Ian Dobson, Galen Rupp, Shalane Flanagan, Lauren Fleshman and Sara Hall who collectively will inspire and lead the current generation as well as the next generation: the 54 million U.S. kids 18 and under (Echo Babies, the largest generation since the height of the Baby Boomers) in school today.

Yes, U.S. distance running has made noteworthy and laudable progress since 2000 and the future looks promising, but there is still more work to be done and more resources needed to produce more depth and top world class performances for Beijing 2008 and beyond, and April 2006 could prove to be a watershed moment for U.S. distance running.

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U.S. Road Races Partner with Schools to Provide Productive Youth Fitness Programs

In honor of National Physical Fitness and Sports Month and National PE Day (May 3) organized by PE4Life and SGMA to focus attention on the importance of physical education in our schools, Running USA would like to recognize several youth running and fitness programs which are helping communities become more physically fit.

For a number of years, most major road races have had a companion kids run. Now event organizers are partnering with schools, clubs and after school programs to offer much needed multi-week training programs. What began as a way to publicize race week and build participant numbers has developed into very successful models of affordable physical fitness programs that can be adapted to all age groups and community types. For the participants, the high profile kids run offers a good short term goal but the potential reward of developing healthy habits can be life changing.

The recent proliferation of these programs from Michigan and Virginia suburbs to the inner cities of Houston, L.A. and New York could not have arrived at a better time. The lack of physical education in schools is a widespread national problem. According to the CDC's School Health Policies and Programs Study, only 8% of elementary schools, 6.4% of junior high/middle schools and 5.8% of senior high schools provide daily physical education or its equivalent for the entire school year for all grades. And even when activities outside of school are considered, 26.9% of males and 40.1% of females in grades 9 thru 12 did not participate in at least 20 minutes of vigorous physical activity on three or more days a week or in at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity five or more days a week in 2003 (CDC Youth Risk Behavior Survey).

Although Americans are more aware now of the significant problems that lack of fitness cause, both for their families and the country's strained health care budget, it will take years and a communitywide effort to reverse the trends. Because of their low cost and simplicity, youth running and fitness programs such as those described below can make a significant contribution to this effort. Curriculums have been developed which respond to a variety of school district standards and all types of student populations. All of the programs are free or offer scholarships as needed and emphasize fun, non-competitive activities, positive reinforcement and goal setting. Many provide mentors, nutrition and educational components and motivating incentives.

Snapshots of 10 Successful Youth Running and Fitness Programs

Feelin' Good Mileage Club / Crim Road Races, Flint, MI
* 38 elementary schools and 7,000 children in the Crim Feelin' Good Mileage Club
* 600 youth aged 3-18 in 20 Crim Kids/Teen Summer Running Clubs
Crim's decision to hire a youth coordinator several years ago has paid off with a well-organized program of events for inner city and suburbs throughout the year and a $446,000 3-year grant from the Mott Foundation.

New York Road Runners Foundation / ING New York City Marathon, NY
* Serving 15,000 kids a WEEK in over 110 New York City neighborhoods and 1,000 in San Francisco and Tampa Bay areas
The NYRRF was established in 1998 by the organizers of the ING New York City
Marathon to motivate 'at-risk' youth to become physically fit. In both school day and after school settings, the Running Partners programs feature goal setting, nutritional and academic components.

Students Run L.A. / City of Los Angeles Marathon, CA
* 250 teachers from 140 schools supported 2,247 students in their training
* 2,231 of those students completed the full 26.2 mile distance in March, an impressive 99.3% finish rate!
The program which began with a teacher in 1987 focuses on at-risk students in junior and senior high schools. Another impressive statistic is that 90% of the participating seniors graduate from high school and 80% go on to college. Honda and Saucony provide running shoes for every participant.

Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon's Youth Running Program, MN
* 2,000 students and 40 schools are expected to participate this year
Twin Cities has recently hired a full-time coordinator that will work with the metro area school districts to recruit participants. A year-round training program for elementary students that is internet based will be launched in the fall and a partnership with local park recreation programs will provide training opportunities this summer.

Read, Right, & Run Marathon(tm) / Spirit of St. Louis Marathon, MO
* 2,800 children from 67 schools read 72,800 books, performed 72,800 good deeds and ran 73,360 miles this year
This nationally recognized sustainable program, challenges children to READ 26 books, RIGHT the community with 26 good deeds and RUN 26.2 miles over a 6 month time period. Approximately 20% of the St. Louis Public Schools participated. In 2007, the program will expand to other cities in Missouri.

Just Run Program / Big Sur International Marathon
* serves 4,000 students and 40 schools in Monterey County, CA
The participants of this relatively new free program are in grades 2 thru 8 and are 67% Hispanic, 61% socio-economically disadvantaged and 19% are from migrant families. They accumulated about 90,000 miles of running and other activities with the help of teachers and parent volunteers in both school and after school settings. The program utilizes athletes of the Big Sur Distance Project for role models and offers many related programs which are described on the website JustRun.org.

The Fit for Life Kids Challenge / Sports Backers, Richmond, VA
* 3,000 elementary and middle school students are expected to complete the full program, 16,000 training logs have been distributed
This free incentive-based fitness program culminates with the James River Kids Run on Saturday, June 17. Youth are encouraged to run or walk 26 miles over the course of a 10-week period. The program is flexible and allows for teachers, volunteers and parents to take the initiative to get children involved. Miles can be completed at home, during school recess, at soccer practice or PE class.

Texas Children's Hospital Fun Run / Chevron Houston Marathon, TX
* middle school students from 85 Houston schools participated in the training
* 2,100 students completed the 2006 Texas Children's Hospital Fun Run
The focus of this program is 'building a community of healthy children'. In 2002 PE teachers and a doctor at Texas Children's Hospital developed a training guidebook. This valuable resource which includes lessons on 'Safety, Hydration and Nutrition', 'The Metabolic System' and 'Training the Cardiovascular System' is being used in 14 school districts and has been adopted by the Houston Independent School District as part of the official curriculum for middle schools. The guide is currently being adapted for younger age groups.

Intermountain Kids Marathon / Salt Lake City Marathon, UT
* 750 kids are participating in the training program currently
This three month program which began in 2005 is for children 5 to 12 and has more than doubled its number of participants this year. Kids and parents can register online to complete 26 units of activities related to fitness, nutrition and good deeds.

Bolder Boulder Middle School Challenge, Boulder, CO
* 1,083 middle school students completed Bolder Boulder in 2005
* 44 schools around the state are training for this year's event
This Challenge began in 1995 and encourages sixth, seventh and eighth graders to participate in after school fitness programs. Students train alongside teachers for six to eight weeks to prepare to walk, jog or run the Bolder Boulder 10K race.

The next Running USA conference (February 5-8, 2007, San Diego) will feature a special Youth Programs Workshop for school, club or event officials who want to start or enhance youth running and fitness programs. Contact Linda Honikman, Running USA Youth Programs Coordinator, for more information at rric@runningusa.org or (805) 683-0408.

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Contact: Richard Finn, (212) 423-2229; rfinn@nyrr.org

Craig Mottram to Aim for Central Park Record in Defense of His Healthy Kidney 10K Crown
Andrew Letherby, Viktor Röthlin and Matt Downin also entered

NEW YORK - (May 2, 2006) - Two-time Australian Olympian Craig Mottram will return to New York City for the first time since winning the Continental Airlines Fifth Avenue Mile last September to defend his title in the Healthy Kidney 10K on Saturday, May 20 in Central Park, it was announced on Tuesday by New York Road Runners president and CEO Mary Wittenberg.

After clocking the second-fastest 10K ever in Central Park, 28:28, to win the inaugural race in 2005, Mottram is now taking aim at the Central Park record of 28:10, set on a similar course by Paul Koech of Kenya at the 1997 Trevira Twosome.

"When I come back to New York for the Healthy Kidney 10K, I want to do more than just win it. I want that course record for a 10K in Central Park," said Mottram, 25, who is currently training with countryman Andrew Letherby in Boulder, Colo.

Mottram will be challenged by a world-class international field including Letherby, Viktor Röthlin of Switzerland (seventh at the ING New York City Marathon 2005 in 2:11:44) and Matt Downin of the United States (11th at the ING New York City Marathon 2005 in 2:14:28).

Mottram has already put together a stellar 2006 season, winning the Reebok Boston Indoor Games 2 Mile over Olympic silver medalist Sileshi Sihine, dismantling the Oceanic Record for 2000 meters and winning the silver medal in front of a hometown crowd at the Commonwealth Games 5000 meters in Melbourne. On April 9, he won his fourth consecutive BUPA Great Ireland Run in Dublin, defeating European Cross Country champion Sergey Lebid.

"Craig is a superstar in our sport. Nothing but the win satisfies him," Wittenberg said of Mottram, the 2005 IAAF World Championships 5000 meters bronze medalist. "He is a fair and fierce competitor in the tradition of other Australian champions like John Newcombe, Greg Norman and Rob de Castella. He's on the rise and we haven't seen close to the best of him yet."

The Healthy Kidney 10K is an open race led by a small field of professional male runners and offers $20,000 prize money to the top eight male finishers, with $7500 for the winner.

The race is sponsored by the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates to benefit the National Kidney Foundation, Inc., in appreciation of American medical excellence in the kidney transplant field. The late UAE president Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al-Nahyan benefited from American expertise, knowledge and research when he received a kidney transplant in 2000. More than 45 embassy staff members and other UAE representatives finished the Healthy Kidney 10K in 2005.

For more information, visit: NYRR.org

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T-Bone Returns for HealthierUS Fitness Challenge - May 6 in DC

ASHEVILLE, N.C. - (May 1, 2006) - T-Bone, America's Health and Fitness Family Ambassador, returns for the Third HealthierUS Fitness Challenge. The President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports is co-sponsoring this unique event to be held at RFK Stadium in Washington, DC on Saturday, May 6 from 8:00am-noon.

Tim "T-Bone" Arem will be performing his award winning program "T-Bone's Fitness Mania" for the second straight year at the Challenge. 5,000 children are expected to attend his interactive health and fitness stage performance.

The HealthierUS Fitness Challenge marks the kick off for May, National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. Activities include a 5K Run / Walk / Bike, fitness demos and classes, interactive sports and games with special guests and surprises celebrities.

For more information, go to: Fitness.gov

Also, contact Tim Arem at (828) 298-4789 or TBoneRun@hotmail.com

Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Director

(805) 696-6232
Ryan@RunningUSA.org

RunningUSA.org